Alumni Report: Lawson’s release a fateful turn for Cal State

After three seasons at Loyola Marymount, one as a redshirt, the former Vista High basketball star was released of his scholarship just when he thought he was blossoming as a college player.

The 6-foot-6 Lawson played in 17 games as a redshirt freshman in 2010-11, averaging 1.6 points and 1.7 rebounds.

Last season, he played in 20 games, starting 17, averaging 3.4 points and 2.2 rebounds.

Then over the summer, “LMU released me,” Lawson said. “And I didn’t see it coming.”

In search of a place to play, he found Cal State San Marcos — or rather Cal State San Marcos found him.

“We needed some extra size, needed another piece to the puzzle,” said Cal State San Marcos coach Jim Saia. “I was at a high school tournament in Anaheim and was ready to head home. At the last second, I decided to make a side trip to Long Beach for another high school event.”

It was there Saia bumped into an old friend as both were leaving the gym.

“I believe in fate,” Saia said. “A few seconds earlier, a few seconds later, and we miss each other. But we connected, and he told me Quincy was looking for a place to play. Honestly, I didn’t know of Quincy.

“But after I watched some film, I really liked him. And when I found out he was from Vista, I had to have him.”

Lawson was the last player added to this season’s team, joining the Cougars in July.

And the move has paid off for both sides.

Heading into today’s exhibition game at UCLA, Cal State San Marcos is 7-3 and ranked No. 20 in the NAIA.

After UCLA, there are home games at 7 p.m. Wednesday with Point Loma Nazarene and 7:30 p.m. Saturday with Concordia. The Cougars play their home contests at MiraCosta College.

Lawson has had a major hand in the team’s success, averaging 12.8 points. He leads the Cougars, averaging 6.0 rebounds a game and is tops in blocked shots.

“It’s great to be home,” Lawson said. “I really landed in a good place.

“I love the coaches here. They really hold the players accountable.”

Lawson was a major star at Vista.

A first-team All-San Diego Section choice, he averaged 22.7 points a game, 7.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists as a senior.

“Quincy is really doing a great job,” Saia said. “We’re trying to get him tougher because he could be a very special player. Really, he has All-American potential. He knows his way around the hoop, and he can finish.”

But Saia said Lawson’s greatest strength is also his weakness.

“He’s such a natural that things come easy for him,” Saia said. “He needs to work on the little parts of the game — blocking out, hedging on screens. The good thing is that he knows he needs to work on those kinds of things.”

While Lawson is upset Loyola Marymount released him, he also said the learning process started there.